Jungalow: Decorate Wild: The Life and Style Guide

by Justina Blakeney

From New York Times bestselling author and designer Justina Blakeney, Jungalow is the ultimate guide to designing wildly creative interiors that are free-spirited, layered, and deeply personal. Jungalow is Justina Blakeney’s biggest, boldest, and most beautiful volume yet, filled with irresistible style, original patterns, and artwork—lushly photographed by Dabito. In each chapter, Justina shares her distinctive point of view on everything design fans want to know—how to make bold choices with color and pattern, how to take cues from nature, how to authentically glean inspiration from their heritage and travels, how to break rules, and all the other paths to truly begin to decorate wild. Along the way, Justina also shares personal narratives, practical advice, and nuanced insight into how she lives in her own space—how she reconnects with nature, how she plays and stays inspired, how she gives herself permission to feel free and wild, and how readers can do the same. Jungalow is the term coined by Justina for the brand that embodies her wild but cozy and homey style. Copycats abound, but there is no other book like this one—offering Justina’s authentic, encouraging voice and approachable, signature style. “Artist, entrepreneur, and travel enthusiast Justina Blakeney believes every room needs three things to reach its potential (and help you reach yours): plants, pattern, and color. In Decorate Wild, she teaches how to layer those elements like a pro.”—Martha Stewart Living

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design, Art, Coffee Table Books, Crafts, How To

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of Blakely's "New Bohemians," I awaited the release of this book with great anticipation. It did not disappoint. The book is absolutely wondrous. It literally and figuratively widens my horizons and teaches new ways to appreciate and savor the world around me. The photos are glorious, but I also appreciate the thoughtful text, which is a lesson in how to "do you", while remaining open to a wide variety of experiences and cultures. As much a lifestyle book as a book about decorating.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lady can put like 400 colors together and make them all work.

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So inspirational. I rearranged my whole living room after reading it. (Didn't spend a penny on anything new.) Why live in boring if I don't have to?

[Denise Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible to spend time with this book and not feel invigorated, happy, or creatively inspired. Blakeney's recollections of childhood images and family are described with genuine affection and a sense of wonder, a testament to how the possibilities of unbridled imagination can transform ordinary surroundings.
Images from her travels further serve to encourage more conservative decorators to experiment by following basic design elements- even those which may initially seem counter-intuitive. Every page is drenched in color and dynamic patterns; this is pure eye candy and an inspiring guide for decorators who may envision settings outside of a box but lack that initial motivation.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much colour and style. And a great story about unity in culture. Love her work

[Jane]

You know Target carries some pieces from Jungalow now. I loved looking at the pictures in this book and I liked some of her personal stories.

[Laura Cason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn’t describe myself as a jungalow gal by the judgment I had of the title and cover of this book but it was so beautiful I had to give it a try. WOW. This book is a work of art! I got so many ideas for tying what I truly love into my home and felt the freeing pressure of following rules to instead feel encouraged to fill my home with things I love. I’m an amateur plant and botanical lover and I really enjoyed Justina’s plant insight and knowledge - I can’t wait to mix and explore plant patterns in my home. Beautiful read!

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was complaining the week before that I couldn’t find interior design books that were inspiring and then I came across this and it was just what I was looking for. I had borrowed it from the library but am considering buying a copy for myself!

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my kind of deorating. Goodbye, plain sharp modern farmhouse, hello beautiful patterns and colors <3

nothing clashes, not really.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book of lush,colorful fusion of various ethnicities. It's a hefty sized book loaded with gorgeous, creative photos. Simply put, it is wonderful for a little head space vacay!

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book of patterns and decor. I want all her wild pieces!!! 💚💚💚

I won’t wait when I see something of hers that I really want… learned that lesson already.

[Karen Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book full of practical advice and encouragement to make your home authentically yours.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely inspirational - in life and home! Justina Blakeney is a wizard when it comes to seeing the beauty in juxtaposed colors, patterns, texture! I’m a fan.

[Sheelagh van Winsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heerlijk boek om doorheen te bladeren! Ik vond de vorige alleen net iets leuker en als je die al hebt voegt deze niet enorm veel toe.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for the coolest, most colourful home decor book or maybe just a pretty looking coffee table book this is both! I also own The New Bohemians Handbook and Jungalow was just as pretty and informative. Highly recommend to anyone who's bored of all the white kitchens

[Michelle Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her style is way more bohemian than my tastes but her creative projects, love of color, texture and patterns from her numerous travels gave me a new appreciation of design. I learned a lot about natural materials and the photos are gorgeous. It was fun discovering Jungalow bedding through Opal House at Target this week. My first step - purchase a real, live house plant!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm ready to create my mood board, find my colors, and create foliage faces with my daughter. Luscious photos cover-to-cover. If you're a Jungalow fan you'll drool all the way through 🤤

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justina's books are always a wealth of inspiration and her latest did not disappoint.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! This book deserves your patience. It should be read with complete attention - as it is as much a book about decorating as it is about experiencing life. The author shares the impact of growing up in a mixed race family- and in this case the best of family, full of love and wonder, to travel all over the world and experience many cultures, learning with open minds- inquisitive minds- living ahead of our time- ground breakers- how life should be. It’s a beautiful book - where a person can find freedom in doing what her soul dictates - decorating with freedom and abandon. This author shares decorating from stand point of what excites and soothe your soul. I can’t say enough of the impact of this book. I urge you to read every single sentence, and allow yourself to enjoy the photos fully. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have read and absorbed this book. Lots of great stories. Thank you to the author and her family.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a serendipitous find on Hoopla that totally grabbed me while in a very creative mood. Gorgeous photography of rooms decorated in Blakeney's nature/shelter jungle style of culture-mixed decor, lovingly curated by her to reflect her culture-mixed family history included throughout the book. Blakeney takes you to the countries and regions that inspire her, such as Morroco, Turkey, India, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Copenhagen, coastal California, Florida, and the American southwest and other parts of the United States. She shows how you can bring nature inside with plants and patterned wallpaper, rugs, pillows, throws, as well as the mindful use of repetitive decor. She includes many examples of things she has repurposed in innovative ways as inspiration for the reader to infuse their own personality and cultural background into every room in the house. I would love to have this book on my coffee table to revisit often; a creative designer's ode to Mother Nature.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like bright colors, bold patterns, ethnic touches, and eclectic knick-knacks, then "jungalow" style, and this book, should definitely appeal to you. Blakeney's rooms are a visual treat for maximalists, and there are pages, and pages of inspiration to be found here. Packed with gorgeous photos, this is a decorating book to visit again and again.

[Lucy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD.

I love this book. It's GORGEOUS. Honestly, I hadn't heard of Jungalow until I walked into Target two days ago, saw the new display full of patterns and colors I loved, and then saw this gorgeous book. Having decided that morning I would buy whatever books I wanted (and I'd just come from an indie bookstore) I said, I'm getting it!
I started reading it two hours later and consumed it in two days.
This book is perfect if you love boho but aren't a neutrals person. This book is all about patterns, colors, off-beat decor, plants everywhere - everything I love!
Grab this and dive headfirst into eclectic decor goodness!

[Desarae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feast for the eyes, this book is a luscious journey of color, pattern, and culture, full of great little thought nuggets and tips for not only creating a home, but living a life. My taste and style isn't exactly like the authors, but we have many overlaps, so cracking this book was a thrill and I set aside special time to 'experience' it and take notes. You will get more out of this book if you have at least some similarity in taste, but there are lessons and perspectives that carry over into any decor style, I think. She even has a brief section where she talks about different textiles, what they are made of, how they are created, and what their common uses are. Loved it!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justina Blakeney is known for her earthy, colorful, and maximalist interior designs, and if this book was just full of photos of her creations, that would’ve been reason enough to buy it. There’s much more to it, though, including lessons on identifying your personal style, color and texture mixing, pattern making, identifying materials, and creative reuse. Her tone throughout is friendly, knowledgeable, encouraging, and open-minded, which will inspire readers to make their homes welcoming spaces that express who they are

[Lisa Schramek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justina’s writing is relatable and packed with information about all things Jungalow. Each of her books has a different entry point for readers. For Decorate Wild she takes a dive into hard finishes- providing a philosophy for folks considering renovating/constructing a space and forward through those making due with a rental. I really appreciate her thoughtful explanations about color and pattern mixing. The luscious photography jumps off the page and emphasizes the orderly riot of color she achieves in her work.

[Marion Boberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justina has managed to put in words and illustrations the things I have dreamed of for years. Her talent to mix and match with class ethnic and precious fabric, design, patterns and plants makes her Jungalow brand a unique, inspiring and energizing experience. Living in a country where white rules (Finland) half of the year, she enabled me to find the courage to mix and match colors, patterns and plants giving our home a strong cosy and relaxing space. I Love her books and can’t wait for the next ones to come!

[Tracy]

I dug a lot of her example rooms. I especially liked the first section of the book where she created mashups of two cultures. It also resonated with her sharing her family heritage and personal feeling of being mixed culture being an important part of her. The pattern and materials section was usefully presented. The DIY section was quite short and didn't add much, I would have dropped that and expanded the first section or dug into color more. I appreciated the variety of plant metaphors they used throughout 😉

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not make up my mind which decorating backdrop fit me and my personality. The combination of different ethnic choices and the blending of so many colors and materials seemed just right. Each page of beautiful photography will speak to your soul as you continue to read about and enjoy Justina Blakeney's vision. I intend to go back and forth a few times rereading and viewing all of the wonderful elements she has gathered here for our reading pleasure.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is some of the most awesome house porn I’ve ever seen. I love her style and I love how she explains how to have your own style. Once I got over that she was much more traveled and I was I started thinking about my background and what I have at my home that I can use to get the effect that is best for me. I love how she talks about cultivating a home is like cultivating a garden. I guess things are never done.

[Kayla Hollatz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. What a delightfully colorful and historically rich interior design book! While I wouldn't classify "jungalow" to be my ideal style, how often are you able to learn about different cultures within design books? I appreciated the essays as much as the photos, and I'd recommend this to those who love this style.